As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I have noticed a trend in the past few years. I have identified as bisexual since I was 13, and through my interactions with both LGBTQ+ and heterosexual communities, I have come to learn that there are far more stereotypes about bisexuality than many people realize. Many of these stereotypes are harmful and contribute to the erasure of bisexuality. As we are in Pride Month, I thought that I would take the opportunity to analyze some of these stereotypes and harmful misconceptions.
To begin, bisexuality is often considered a false identity. Many people believe that bisexual individuals are confused or that identifying as bisexual is merely a stepping stone to eventually identifying as gay or lesbian, with a survey showing that 37% of Americans hold these beliefs. People also believe, as they do with many sexuality and gender identities, that bisexuality is a choice, an idea that has been proven to be false. It has instead been found that sexuality is more fluid than we have understood in the past, and that it can be decided by multiple influences, such as biological, environmental and genetic factors.
As a result of these beliefs, many hold the notion that bisexual people will “flip-flop” between sexualities depending on their romantic partner’s gender identity. Being in a heterosexual-presenting relationship, or a relationship with a member of the opposite gender, often leads to people asking if they now identify as straight. On the other hand, being in a homosexual-presenting relationship, or a relationship with a member of the same gender, may lead to being asked if they now identify as gay, yet the entire time, they are simply bisexual.
Another popular stereotype of bisexual individuals is that they are more promiscuous than the average person. The American Institute of Bisexuality has a simple answer to this stereotype: “Bisexuality describes who you are attracted to, not how often you have sex.” Research has also found that bisexual people are less likely to be “out” to the general public than lesbians or gay men, with only 19% being open about their sexuality. Many cite fear of judgment as a reason for staying in the closet.
It is also assumed that only women can be bisexual. While 5% of American women identify as bisexual, 2% of American men identify as bisexual, too. While this stereotype also affects women, many often believe that particularly men identifying as bisexual are actually gay and just “conflicted” or “confused.”
While there was insufficient data provided in available research, people who identify as nonbinary can also identify as bisexual.
Bisexuality is not a synonym for “confused.” It is not a false identity or an excuse for promiscuity. It is a valid identity that nearly 4% of Americans hold.